# NTSB MIA94LA086: Piotrowski GIP-1, N7014B, Bunnell, FL, March 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1994, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Bunnell, FL
- Location: 29.4661° N, 81.2578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bunnell, FL, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4661&lon=-81.2578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA086

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM IN THE GYROCOPTER ON APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN GYROCOPTER FLYING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON THE SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO IN A GYROCOPTER. HIS INSTRUCTOR PILOT OBSERVED THE GYROCOPTER HIGH AND FAST ON FINAL APPROACH. THE GYROCOPTER THEN PITCHED UP, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED, AND THE GYROCOPTER THEN BEGAN PORPOISING. THE INSTRUCTOR THEN OBSERVED THE ROTOR BLADES CONE UPWARD AND THE ROTOR RPM DECREASED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN FLIPPED INVERTED AND CRASHED.

## Factual narrative

On March 6, 1994, about 1700 eastern standard time, N7014B, a homebuilt GIP-1, gyrocopter crashed on landing attempt at Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The gyrocopter was substantially damaged and the pilot received fatal injuries. The local flight originated from the same airport about 10 minutes earlier.

The instructor pilot had given flight instruction to the airplane-rated pilot in the gyrocopter, and had cleared the pilot for three solo flights around the traffic pattern. The pilot executed one traffic pattern, and was observed to be fast on the approach. The gyrocopter was observed to porpoise and crash as the rotor coned and the rpm decayed.

Examination of the engine, airframe and control system by an FAA inspector revealed no preexisting failures. A postmortem examination of the pilot was conducted by Dr. Terrence Steiner who reported the cause of death to be multiple traumatic injuries. Toxicological examination of specimens from the pilot were negative for alcohol, basic and acetic drugs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7014B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7014B-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 001, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIOTROWSKI GIP-1
- Registry model: [Piotrowski George GIP-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/piotrowski-george-gip-1) (registry code 056229R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: ROTAX UNK reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Piotrowski, George
- Registered owner: Piotrowski, George
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: X47, Flagler County, runway 6, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 80 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940306003639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940306003639A), Mar 6, 1994: Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Bounced and porpoised on fast landing. Rotors flexed down hit ground. Gyroplane came aparat.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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